Information Goods and Information Markets Essay

Information Goods and Information Markets - Essay Example According to him, one has to experience at least some amount of an information good before deciding to buy it, because only through experience one can come to know to what extent the commodity is worth buying. According to Coiera (2000), other goods like oranges or batteries do not require these pre-use since people know that they would meet their expectations. Another major characteristic of information goods is that initial production cost of such goods is higher whereas the marginal cost of reproduction is very low. In addition, regardless of the high cost, most of the information products like music, books, sound track, web pages are highly vulnerable to re-production or copying. Another finding of the author regarding information goods is that unlike other goods or services, information is never consumed. For instance, digital information can be copied exactly whereas normal goods cannot be copied this way. Hence, the laws of supply and demand ‘do not easily apply to many information goods’. Finally, unlike other normal goods, information can be easily transmitted across communication networks in bulk at lower costs or for absolutely free of cost. Since information goods are prone to copying, producers must create some form of monopoly in order to ensure profit from producing and selling information goods. ... 117) comments, information goods will be sold for no cost if marginal cost is zero. The market involves numerous other issues as well despite the current copyright laws. Pirates have easy access to various information products illegally as there is no unanimous international regulation in this regard. As Coiera (2000) finds, if free access to information is the goal of a producer, the current feasibility is an advantage whereas if the producer intends to raise revenue from information provided, the advantage turns to be a challenge. Hence, in order for making profits from information goods, one has to create monopoly by acquiring a patent or copyright, although property theft is still likely. The tactic is termed as ‘avoidance’ which mainly involves avoiding the production of ‘information goods that must be traded in such openly competitive environments’. Coiera believes that the avoidance tactic would make considerable amount of delay for the product to rea ch pirates by when the creator would gain revenue. Another tactic which information sellers normally apply is attaching the brand identity to their products or websites so as to help customers to differentiate the original products from the pirated ones. Yet another recent trend in the market is the pay-per-view model. This tactic allows the producer to charge the customer only for particular visit or for getting access to specific information. Selling the particular product bundled with other several products is another technique used by information sellers. The logic is that only a potential buyer would be willing to buy the whole package even at higher costs. Creative pricing and marketing is another useful tactic information producers can try to enhance their revenue. To

Anabolic Steroids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Anabolic Steroids - Essay Example The core of anabolic steroids touches two overlapping effects; anabolic and androgenic. Anabolic effect encourages cell growth, for masculization and maintenance of muscle; androgenic affect is used. Its use is nothing new. There are various medical and non-medical reasons of their use. The intake of these artificial hormones results in enhanced remodeling of bone growth and stimulation of bone marrow. Increased red blood cells, bigger appetite and greater than before protein synthesis. Mass lean muscle and increased weight in surprisingly short period of time may result by combining high dose of anabolic steroids with intensive exercise and high protein diet. When we talk about muscle and weight gain, it is just unavoidable to talk about "anabolic steroids." It is a drug, which makes the human body bigger and stronger, in a short span. It became very popular and found an instant way into athletes, body builders and weight lifter's life during 1940's.Most of the people use it to reduce body fat and get enlarged muscle size. It amazingly boosts the stamina and suppresses the stress hormone, cortisol. Due to this, anabolic steroids help the user to train more frequently. It also reduces the chances of muscle damage, injury and quicker recovery after the injury by acting as an anti-inflammatory. It is also used to keep the body fat level lower due to increased metabolic rate. The circumstances for muscle production become greater due to the increasing amount of nitrogen in the body. Most of the body builders and athletes make use of them for professional benefits. It gives strength and endurance to the user by increasing their ability to cop e with more physical pressure in today's cut throat competition of athletic world. Now getting down to the main point, anabolic steroid is used for medical purposes and still is a prescription based drug. With a passage of time its uses are becoming wider. Its main domain deals with hormonal problems in males, where there is not enough natural production of male hormone. "Hypogonadal states, delay of growth and puberty in boys, bone marrow failure, selected anemia, edema and late stages of breast cancer," Karch (1997) are the most common conventional medical uses include the use of anabolic steroid. In severe mal-nutrition and burnt cases, Anabolic steroids were taken, obviously with safety measures, by "post-operative patients to hasten recovery." Karch (1997). It ensures patient's quick recovery but due to lack of research, (ibid) "they have not proved efficacious for this appreciation." Latest investigational uses consist of endorsement of Anabolism in patients with Aids and alcoholic hepatitis, management of certain hyperlipemias and back-up for fibrinolyris. Administered dosage help the post-operative patients for quick recovery. It helps out people who lose muscle mass and face weight loss caused by Osteoporosis. It is also prescribed while treating some kinds of cancers. Anabolic steroids improve the symptoms without serious side effects in short cycles. Naturally, humans have various types of steroids present in their bodies. This commonly used drug is an artificial chemical compound, which intends to have a similar effect to those of a natural hormone. In males, who are unable to produce sufficient amount of testosterone, this seems to be the only